Introduction to Guidance
Welcome! In this section of Skill Acquisition, we are going to explore Guidance. Think of guidance as the "GPS" for learning a new sports skill. Just as a GPS tells you where to turn or shows you a map, coaches use different types of guidance to help athletes move from being a "clueless beginner" to a "polished pro."
Don't worry if some of these terms seem similar at first. By the end of these notes, you’ll be able to spot exactly which type of guidance is being used on the pitch, in the gym, or in the pool!
What is Guidance?
In Physical Education, Guidance is the method used by a coach or teacher to transmit information to a performer. The goal is to help the learner understand what they need to do and how to do it correctly.
Quick Review: The Four Types
1. Visual (Seeing it)
2. Verbal (Hearing it)
3. Manual (Being physically moved)
4. Mechanical (Using equipment for support)
1. Visual Guidance
This is all about seeing the skill. It is the most common way to start learning something new.
How is it used?
A coach might use demonstrations, videos of professional athletes, posters, or even whiteboard diagrams to show the "perfect model" of a skill.
Advantages:
• Helps the learner create a mental image of the skill.
• Great for beginners (those in the cognitive stage) who don't know what the skill looks like yet.
• Can be used to highlight specific "cue" points (e.g., "Look where the player’s elbow is pointing").
Disadvantages:
• If the demonstration is poor or incorrect, the learner will copy bad habits.
• If the demo is too fast or complex, the learner might feel overwhelmed.
Analogy: Imagine trying to build a Lego set without the picture on the box. It’s nearly impossible! Visual guidance is that picture on the box.
2. Verbal Guidance
This involves telling the performer what to do. It is often used alongside visual guidance.
How is it used?
A coach giving a technical talk at halftime or a teacher shouting "keep your head down" during a golf swing.
Advantages:
• Can be given immediately during performance.
• Excellent for elite athletes (autonomous stage) who understand technical jargon.
• Good for motivating and giving quick "tactical" advice.
Disadvantages:
• Information Overload: If a coach talks too much, the performer might forget the first thing they were told.
• Beginners might not understand the technical language used (e.g., telling a 5-year-old to "increase the velocity of the follow-through").
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't assume verbal guidance is best for everyone. For a beginner, "talking them through" a backflip is much less effective than showing them a video!
3. Manual Guidance
This is physical support. The coach actually handles the performer to move their body through the correct range of motion.
How is it used?
A gymnastics coach holding a gymnast’s waist during a somersault, or a golf pro standing behind a pupil and moving their arms through the swing.
Advantages:
• Reduces the risk of injury in dangerous skills.
• Increases the performer's confidence.
• Helps the learner develop kinesthesis (the "feel" of the movement).
Disadvantages:
• The performer can become over-reliant on the coach and feel like they can't do it alone.
• It can be off-putting or uncomfortable for some learners to be touched by a coach.
Did you know? Manual guidance is often used in the very early stages of learning complex, dangerous moves to ensure the athlete feels safe enough to try.
4. Mechanical Guidance
This is using equipment or apparatus to support the performer.
How is it used?
Using stabilisers on a bike, a harness/longe in trampolining, or floats in swimming.
Advantages:
• Extremely safe for high-risk skills.
• Allows the performer to practice the whole movement without fear.
• Useful for building muscle memory through repetition.
Disadvantages:
• The "feel" of the skill with the equipment isn't exactly the same as doing it for real (e.g., swimming with a float feels different from swimming without one).
• Like manual guidance, the athlete might become dependent on the equipment.
Which Guidance should I use?
Choosing the right guidance depends on the stage of learning the athlete is in. Don't worry if this seems tricky; just remember this simple rule of thumb:
For Beginners (Cognitive Stage):
• Visual is best (they need to see it).
• Manual/Mechanical is great for safety and "feel."
• Keep Verbal very simple.
For Experts (Autonomous Stage):
• Verbal is most effective (they understand the technical details).
• Visual is used mainly for fine-tuning or looking at video analysis of their own performance.
Mnemonic Aid: Use V.V.M.M. to remember the four types!
Visual, Verbal, Manual, Mechanical.
Key Takeaways Summary
• Visual guidance creates a mental picture and is best for beginners.
• Verbal guidance provides technical detail and is best for experts.
• Manual guidance is physical "hands-on" help from a coach.
• Mechanical guidance uses objects or equipment to help the learner.
• Kinesthesis is the internal "sense" or "feel" of a movement, often developed through manual and mechanical guidance.